Incubator



{LTAGGART April 28,- '1942.

INCUBATOR Filed Aug. 2, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR @lah I. Taggart QM. SMN

\ J. l. TAGGART April'zs, 1942.

INCUBATOR Filed Aug. 2, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO J s h I. T rt BY o el a3ga'- 7L Me ATTORNEYS April 28, 1942. J. l. TAGGART 2,281,339

INCUBATOR Filed Aug. 2, 1940 8 Shee'LS-Sheetl 4 7 J 5 /ao /77 /76 /79 /82 /74 INVENTOR Jose h, I. T art BY .P arly ATTORNEYS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENToR J. l. vTAGGART INCUBATOR Filed Aug. 2, '1940 oon Jos h/ I. T t: BY er aggar VZ/14,4 9 ATTORNEYS Apkil 28, 1942. .1. l. TAGGART INCUBATOR Filed Aug. 2, 1940 llll l tnllllllll iwf Md TMW.. rE I. m h .m w1 M NVENTOR Jos BY 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Y l. TAGGART I NCUBATOR Filed Aug. 2, 1940 April 2s, '1942.

INVENTOR eph I. Taggart rhf? ATTORNEYS Jos B Y lai ItlllllllllllllllllL. .Il

April 2s, 1942.

.,l. l. TAGGART INCUBATOR Filed Aug. 2, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR J s h I. T rt ATTORNEYS Patente-d Apr. 28, 1942 UNITED STATES 'il' FFICE INCUBATOR Joseph I. Taggart, Cleveland, Ohio Application August 2, 1940, Serial No. 349,478

18 Claims. (Cl. 119-37) This invention relates to an incubator for hatching eggs of domestic fowls, and more particularly to incubators of the staged incubation type in which the egg tray racks may contain eggs in various stages of incubation.

The present invention provides an incubator so designed that the eggs may remain in the trays in which they are originally packed throughout the entire incubating process, in which incubating racks are provided for supporting the eggs throughout the major portion of the incubation period, and a single hatching rack is provided for supporting the trays of eggs during the iinal hatching period, the supporting racks being so constructed and arranged that the trays may be quickly and easily transferred from the incubating rack to the hatching rack..

One object of the present invention is to provide air circulating means of such a character that a comfortable and healthy atmosphere is provided for the chicks after they are hatched.

' A further object of the invention is to provide means for completely and instantaneously removing from the air the down produced by the chicks during the hatching process.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide adequate space for the chicks in the hatching rack.

A further object is to provide improved means for accurately regulating the temperature and humidity of the air and for maintaining the temperature and humidity conditions uniform throughout the incubating chamber.

A further object of the invention is to so combine manual operable regulating devices with the automatic temperature and humidity controlling devices that a considerable saving in the con-` sumption of electric current may be obtained.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention may be said to comprise the device as illustrated in the accompanying drawings hereinafter described and particularly set forth in the appended claims, together with such variations and modifications thereof as will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which the' Fis. 2 is a diagrammatic plan View showing the manner in which the air is circulated through the incubator;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, vertical section showing the paths of air iiow;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line indicated at 4-4 in Fig. 1;A

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view showing th tray tilting mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a lfragmentary section on an enlarged scale taken on the line indicated at 6 6 in Fig. 5;

Fig.'7 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale taken on the `line 1 -lin Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation showing a portionpf the tray rocking mechanism on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 9 is a top plan View of one of the rockable tray supports with an egg tray therein;

FigglO is av section taken on the line indicated at Ill-ID in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section takenv on the line indicated at Il-l I` in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a top plan vieWof van egg tray with a chick guard placed thereon;

Fig. 13 is a section taken on the line indicated at Iii-I3 in Fig. 12;

` Fig. 14 is a section taken on the line indicated at Illlli in Fig. 12;

l Fig. 15 is an end elevation looking toward the air conditioning chamber and showing the air cooling and humidifying device;

' Fig. 16 is a transverse vertical section through the air conditioning chamber showing a modiiied form of humidifying device;

y Fig. 17 is a section taken on the line ll-l'l in Fig. 16; and

. Fig. 18-is a wiring diagram showing the circuits controlling the fan and rack tilting motors and the heating, cooling and humidifying devices.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown an incubator cabinet l having a single main compartment or chamber 2 and a front Wall having double doors 3, 'through which access may be had to the interior of the cabinet. The cabinet is provided with an air conditioning compartment ror chamberV i at one end thereof in which there inner wall of the air conditioning chamber 4 is formed by a diaphragm filter 8 which forms a partition between the main chamber 2 of the incubator and the air conditioning chamber, the filter 8 extending substantially the full height and width of the chamber 4 and thereby providing a filter of large capacity.

In the end of the compartment 2 adjacent the air conditioning chamber is mounted a hatching provided by bales I and Ila extending transversely across the chamber 2 adjacent the ceiling and floor immediately to the inner side of the hatching rack 9. These baiies serve to prevent passage of large volumes of air above or below the stack of egg trays in the hatching rack, so that air is drawn horizontally through the hatching rack and over and between the egg supporting trays. In order to properly direct the air rack 9 which is constructed to provide a support` l0 currents produced by the fan I3 in the chamber for a series of superposed egg trays I0, the rack 9 being preferably a carriage mounted upon casters II, so that it can be rolled out of the incubator cabinet to give access to the lter and other parts for cleaning. Within the compartment 2 and alongside the hatching rack 9 a plurality of incubating racks I2 are provided, each adapted to support the series of superposed trays I0, In the incubator illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, the hatching rack 9 is adapted to support fifteen egg trays, and threev incubating racks I2 are provided, each adaptedto support fifteen trays. Eggs may beplaced in the incubating racks at intervals and after a period of about nineteen days the eggs ready for hatching are transferred from the incubating racks to the hatching racks. In operatingy the incubator at full capacity fifteen trays of eggs would be placed in the incubating racks, preferably in every third support on each of the three racks to evenly distribute the eggs in the incubating racks. In about one'weeks time a second batch of fteen trays would be placed in a similar manner in the incubating racks and after the lapse of a few days a third batch of fifteen trays is placed in the cabinet. After a period of about nineteen days after the first eggs were placed in the cabinet, the fifteen trays first placed. in the cabinet are transferred to the hatching rackfand the empty spaces in the incubating racks are' filled with fresh eggs. After the two or three days required for hatching, the hatching rackV can be wheeled out of the cabinet and the chicks removed.

Circulation of air through the incubating racks is eifected by means of a fan I3 mountedv in the upper portion of the chamber 2 at theend remote from the air conditioning chamber 4. The fan I3 creates a downward current of air from the top to the bottom of the chamber and this air ows back through and under the incubating racks and then upwardly to the ceiling where it is again drawn into the fan. The fan 5 at the end of the chamber creates a subatmospheric pressure in the air conditioning chamber 4 which draws some of the air from the body of air circulating in the chamber 2 through the hatching rack 9 and the lter 8. The fan 5 has ay housing I 4 which is provided with peripheral outlets I which discharge the air drawn from the air conditioning chamber 4 to the opposite sides of the chamber 2. Passages are provided along the front and `back walls of the cabinet through which the airl drawn from the circulating body of air within the chamber may be returned past the hatching rack 9 to the vertically circulating body of air in the chamber 2. 'Ihe passages adjacent the walls of the cabinetvare provided by partitions I6 and Ia along the front and back of the egg tray supporting racks. The partition IEa is in the form of a fabric curtain which permits ready access to the egg supporting racks. 'Ihe suction created by the fan 5 will draw the curtain tightly against the ends of the egg trays Ill. Additional air guiding meansis 2, a horizontal baiile I8 is provided beneath the incubating racks I2, which serves to deect the air stream upwardly through the egg trays supported by the incubating racks. A baille I9 above the incubating racks and below the fan I3 controls the return of air to the fan I3. Two separate air circulating systems are thus provided, the fan I 3' maintaining a constant circulation of the air vertically through the incubating racks and the fan 5 serving to draw a portion of the air from thebody of air within the,` chamber 2 through` the hatching rack and lter intof thev air conditioning chamber where it is heated; cooled or humidiiied as required andreturned to the main chamber, lIf only the current created by the end fan.l Ewere used the eggs in the top trays would become too warm and the eggs in the bottom` trays' tooJcool. The current created by the ceilingV fan 'I3 overcomes this tendency and insures a very uniform temperature throughout the egg racks;

Since some ofthe oxygen of the air is consumed bythe eggs during the incubating process and carbon dioxide is given off by the eggs, it

i is desirable to revivify the air by replacing a portion thereof with fresh` air from the atmosphere. The outer walloiv the air conditioning chamber is provided adjacent the center of' the fan with screened inlet apertures 20,- controllcd by slide 40;valves 2fI. Immediately above the fan 5 there is a chamber 22 into' which some of the air discharged peripherally by the fan passes, and this chamber has openings 23` through the top wall of. the cabinet to the atmosphere, which openings may be regulated by slide valves 24. During operation of the fan 5, a certain amount of freshairwill be drawn through the inlet apertures 2D and air will also be discharged through the outlet openings 23. The rate at which air is :drawn into and discharged from the cabinet may be regulated` by adjusting the valves 2| and 24.

Since excessive evaporation of moisture from the eggs in undesirable, it is important that` means be provided for maintaining a proper de- Lgree of humidity in the air circulating past the herein shown, the humidifying chamber 25 is beyond the exterior of the end wall of the cabinet I and has apertures 26 and 21 opening to the chamber 4. The aperture 25 is adjacent the bottom of the chamber 4 and the aperture 2'! is adjacent the center of the fan 5, so that the suction of the fan draws air through the inlet aperture 26 into the chamber 25 and through the outlet aperture 21 to the fan. II'he air moistening means within the chamber 25 consists of a spray nozzle 28 which is connected to a suitable source of' water under pressure and delivers water in the forni of a fine spray into the humidifying chamber.

The control of the heaters 6, the cooling coil 1, and the spray nozzle 28 is preferably automatic, flow of current to the heaters 6 being controlled by a thermostat 29 in ythe chamber 2, and the cw'of water through the cooling coil l being controlled by a thermostat 29a in the chamber 2. The spray 28 may be controlled by either of two hurnidostats 38 and 30a. in the chamber 2. The thermostats 29 and 29a and the humidostats 36 and 30a are preferably positioned on the end wall of the cabinet I beneath the fan I3 so that they are controlled wholly by the main body of air circulating through the incubating racks. By so placing the control elements they are bathed with the air that is drawn from the egg trays rather than air that has just come from the air conditioning chamber so that a very accurate control of the temperature and humidity of the air surrounding the eggs is obtained.

The air circulating device of the present invention maintains a continuous flow of air through the trays and between the eggs in the trays supported in the incubating racks, providing for effective transfer of heat from the air to the eggs in the initial stages of incubation and from the eggs to the air in later stages of incubation, thus maintaining the temperature of the eggs throughout the incubating racks at a substantially constant temperature. During Athe hatching period'y the eggs can advantageously have a temperature slightly higher than during the incubating stages.

In the device of the present invention the circulation through the hatching rack is horizontal across the trays and there is less flow of air between the eggs in the trays than in the incubating racks but the flow is rapid enough to prevent the eggs from becoming too warm. The advantage of the slower circulation is in the effect it has on the chicks that are emerging from the shell. evaporation from the wet feathers which cover the chick, thus cooling it to a lesser degree. The air flowing horizontally between the superimposed trays in the hatching rack is, however, effective to cool the chicks to a proper temperature after they are hatched. In this stage their body temperature normally is one to three degrees higher than the incubator temperature.

Whenthe baby chicks emerge from their shells each baby feather is covered with a horny sheath which sloughs oir as the chick dries. Under a microscope these sheaths resemble crushed straws. They are light enough to be picked up by the air streams and this action of the air reduces them to powder. By the time they emerge from the shells and become thoroughly dry, a thousand chicks will shed more than a quart of this material, which is popularly referred to as down This down has always been recognized as a nuisance and as a means of spreading disease among the chicks. While many attempts have been made to extract this down from `the air, the problem has never been successfully solved prior to the present invention. By restricting the flow of air through the hatching rack to a ow in a horizontal direction directly from the chicks to the diaphragm filter 8, the down as it is shed by the chicks is picked up by the air stream and carried directly to the filter 8, which extends substantially the full height and width of the hatching rack and has a capacity suicient to collect the down given off by the chicks when the hatching rack is filled to capacity. The

The slower air movement reduces the collection of down uponthe filter 8 has the effect of slowing the ow of air through the lter during the latter portion of the hatching stage, but it is not sulicient to entirely interrupt the flow of air over the chicks and the maintenance of a pure atmosphere in chick compartments. The slowing of the current through the end fan 5 extends the vertical circulation of air in the chamber 2 closer to the hatching racks but the retarding effect is not suflicient to cause the down to become mixed with the air circulated by the fan I3 or to interfere with the regulation of the temperature and humidity of the air. The down collected upon the lter 8 can be quickly and easily removed from the surface of the diaphragm lter 8 by means of a vacuum cleaner nozzle after the hatching rack has been removed from the cabinet. A sufcient space is preferably provided between the hatching rack and the lter to enable a vacuum cleaner nozzle to be run over the lter 8 without removing the hatching rack from the cabinet if it becomes desirable at any time to clear the filter before completion of the hatching operation.

Incubating racks As shown in Figs. l and 5 to 8, inclusive, each incubating rack I2 has a rear supporting post 3| and a series of superposed tray supporting frames 32, each of rectangular form and composed of angle bars joined together at the corners of the frame. Each frame 32 has horizontal, inwardly projecting, tray supporting flanges 33 and vertical, retaining flanges 34. At the front end of each suporting frame a low, vertical ange 35 is provided which serves to hold the egg tray I0 in place, but which permits the egg tray to be easily inserted into or removed from the supporting frame. Each frame 32 has a central trunnion 36 at its rear end which is adapted to be inserted into one of a vertical row of keyhole slots 31 formed in each of the posts 3l. Vertical supporting links 38 are connected to the front corners of the supporting frames 32 by means of pivots 39. The two parallel links 38 of each frame are pivoted at their upper ends to opposite ends of a rocking lever 42 which is connected midway between its ends by a pivot 43 to a horizontal supporting bar 44 attached to the front wall of the cabinet I above the doors 3. Each rocking lever 42 has a central, upwardly projecting arm 45 and the arms 45 of the levers are pivoted to a horizontal connecting bar 4B. The .bar 48 may be moved back and forth in an endwise direction by means of a crank 41 which has a connecting rod 48 extending therefrom to one of the lever arms 45. The crank 4l is driven through reduction gearing in a gear box 49 from a pulley 50, which is driven by a bell 5I, which is driven through a second gear reduction in a box 52 by an electric motor 53. The reduction from the motor 53 to the crank 41 is such that the rocking movement of the incubating racks is quite slow. The rate of rotation of the crank 41 is preferably about 1 R. P. M. so that thirty seconds are required for a half revolution of the crank which will move the egg tray supports from one extreme inclined position, such as shown in Figure l, to a corresponding opposite inclination. During operation, the egg tray supports are always stopped substantially in their positions of greatest inclination. The operation of the motor 53 is preferably controlled by an electric clock 54 which starts the motor 53 into operation at predetermined time intervals to impart a half revolution to the crank 41 andy reverse the inclination ofv the tray supports.

The egg trays l are of suiiiciently rigid construction to resist deflection of the walls thereof by the weight of the eggs during the shifting of the center of gravity of the loaded trays while they are being rocked. The rigidity of the egg trays ID prevents cracking of eggs in the incubator racks. The trays 16 are preferably in the form of sheet metal pans of a size and shape to fit within the vertical flanges of the supporting frames 32, and these trays have perforations 55 throughout the bottoms thereof to permit iiow of air through the trays and between the eggs therein. The top edges of the side walls of the trays are stiffened by rolled beads 56. The eggs are packed closely in the trays Il) with their little ends down so that the eggs are held against movement in the trays during the tilting movements of the trays.

The hatching rack The hatching rack 9 is in the form of a carriage mounted on the supporting caster wheels il, being provided with a base member 51 and upright corner posts 58 which are connected by suitable cross braces 55. The posts 58 at opposite sides of the hatching rack are spaced apart a distance considerably greater than the width ofV the egg trays l and the egg trays are supported centrally between the posts 58 by means of wide, horizontal, supporting bars 60 attached to the inner sides of the posts 58 and provided with tray receiving ledges 6| along their inner edges.

It is desirable that the hatched chicks have more room to move about in that is provided by the trays I0 themselves. For this reason, each tray I0 when it is placed in the hatching rack 9 is provided with an extension chick guard E2, which is wider than the tray I0. The chick guard 62 is in the form of a sheet metal pan which has a rectangular aperture 63 in its bottom, which is of a size to receive the upper portion of one of the trays l0. Angle bars 64 are attached to the interior of the end walls of the chick guard, which are adapted to rest upon the upper edges of the end walls of the trays l0. The bottom of the chick guard on opposite sides of each tray IIJ provides runways for the chicks. The chick guard has perforated side walls 65 projecting above the tops of the trays I0. Chick guards 62 provide a suicient space for chicks hatched from a tray full of eggs so that it is unnecessary to remove any eggs from the trays or to rearrange the eggs when they are transferred to the hatching rack. If desired, however, some of the eggs can be transferred from the tray I0 to the runways at the sides of the tray provided by the chick guard.

Air cooling and humidz'fying devices The cooling coils 1 in the air conditioning compartment receive water from a supply line 61 connected to a lower header 68 which is connected by a series of vertical copper tubes 69 to an upper header 10. Cooling of the air is accomplished by permitting water to flow from the supply line 61 through the cooling coil. The water for the spray nozzle 28 in the humidifying chamber is preferably supplied from the coil 1,

so that the spray delivered by the nozzle 23 is warm water which has less chilling eiect upon the air and which is more effective for humidifying the air. The upper header 1 is connected to a T-tting 1l, the branches through which water is discharged being controlled by solenoid operated valves 12and13. y

The valves 12 and 13 are controlled electrically by means of circuits which will be hereinafter described, the operating solenoids being controlled by circuits leading through a terminal box 14 and a conduit 15 to a main control box 15. A small tube 11 is connected to the branch of the T-tting 1I, which is controlled by the Valve 12. The lower end of the tube 11 is positioned above a vertical pipe 18 of larger diameter so that the rate of flow of water through the tube 11 can be observed. A manually operated valve 19 is provided for controlling the rate of flow of water through the tube 11. By'noting the rate of discharge of water through the lower end of the tube 11, the operator by adjusting the valve 19 can adjust the rate of ow of water through the cooling coil 1 during the periods while the valve 12 is open. The pipe 18 discharges into the bottom of the humidifying chamber 25 which is connected to a drain pipe 80. A drainage tray 8| is positioned beneath the coil 1 to catch any water condensing and dripping from the pipes 69, and this drain tray is also connested to the drain pipe 8U to discharge any water collecting therein.

The operation of the valve 12 is controlled by the thermostat 29a and the valve is opened when the temperature within the incubator exceeds a predetermined degree.

The branch of the T-tting 1I, controlled by the valve 13, is connected by a tube 82 to a lter 83, from which the water is discharged through a pipe 84 to the spray nozzle 28. A manual valve 85 may be provided to shut off the supply of water to the nozzle 28 so that the nozzle may be removed for cleaning. The valve 12 is controlled by one or the other of the humidostats 30 or 38a to deliver warm water to the spray nozzle 28 whenever the humidity of the air within the cabinet falls below a predetermined degree. Since a higher humidity is desirable during the hatching stage, it is advantageous to provide two controlling humidostats, either of which may be connected in the humidifier valve controlling circuit, as desired.

In some installations, a water supply, delivering water under sufficient pressure for satisfactory operation of the spray type of humidifier, is not available. For such installations a modied form of humidifier, such as illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17 of the drawings, may be provided. Instead of employing a spray nozzle, one or more strips of open mesh fabric 81, through which air may pass readily, may be mounted on the cooling coil in the air conditioning chamber. These strips of fabric may be secured to the upper header 10 by means of clips 88 and to the lower header 68 by means of anchoring cords 89. A tube 90 is attached to the branch of the T-tting 1|, controlled by the valve 13, and this tube is connected to a manifold 9| which delivers into tubes 92, one for each of the strips 81. The tubes 92 are positioned with their discharge ends adjacent the upper ends of the strips 81 to discharge water upon the fabric strips. The water discharged upon the fabric strips is drawn by capillary attraction into the meshes of the fabric and the flow of air through the fabric to the fan 5 causes moisture to be absorbed by the air.

Electrical control devices The wiring for the control of the fans, the tray rocking motor, the electric heaters, the coolgestage ing coil and the humidier is shown in Fig. 18 of the drawings. y

The end fan 5 is driven by an electric motor 94 and the fan I3 is driven by an electric motor 95, motors 94 and 95 being connected for simultaneous operation. The operation of these motors is continuous, while that of therack actuating motor 53 is intermittent. ACurrent for operating all of the electric motors and the various control devices is supplied from main line wires 96 and 91 through a master switch 98.l Current for the fan motors and the control devices is controlled by a starting and stopping switch 99. The motor circuits are so arranged thatl the movement of the switch 99 to open position stops the motors 94 and 95 but permits independent operation of the motor 53. The temperature and humidity control devices are also rendered ineffective by opening of the switch 99.

It is desirable to stop the air circulating fans and to render the heating, cooling and humidifying means inoperative when the cabinet is opened for charging the incubating racks or for transferring trays to the hatching rack, and this may be done by opening the switch l99. It is desirable that the motor 53 be independently oper able by means of a manual switch to enable the tray supporting frames to be moved to -a horizontal position for convenient loading of the incubator racks.

The switch 99 has a blade I00'which connects a terminal to which the line wire 96 is connected to a terminal |02. A second blade |03 connects a terminal |04 to which the line 91 is connected to a terminal |05. The terminal |02 is connected through an overload release switch |06 to a Wire |01 which extends to one terminal of the motor 94. The opposite terminal of the motor 94 is connected by a wire |08 through an overload release switch |09 and through thev blade |03 of the switch 99 to the line l91. The terminal |0I of the line 96 is connected by wires IIO and to one terminal of the motor 95 and the other termina1 of the motor 95 is connected through a Wire II2 through the overload release switch |09 and the switch blade |03 to the line 91. Upon closure of the switch 99 the circuits of both the motors 94 and 95 are closed to continuously operate the fans and I3. One terminal of the motor 53 is connected through a wire IIS through the wires and`||0 to the line 96. The other terminal of the motor 53 is connected through a wire I4 to a manually operable switch |I5 which has two blades |I6 and II1, which in one position of the switch II5 are bridged by a conductor II8 to establish a connection with the line 91 through a wire I I9. By moving the switch |I5 into and out of engagement with the bridging conductor I|8, the operation of the motor 53 may be controlled manually to shift the egg tray receiving supports 32 to horizontal position for the insertion or removal of trays During normal operation of the incubator, the motor 53 is preferably controlled by the clock 54. The blade I I6 of the switch I5 is adapted in one position of the switch to connect a wire of the clock controlled circuit to the wire I4 connected to one terminal of the motor 53. The blade I|1 of the switch I I 5 is adapted to connect a wire I 2| of the clock controlled circuit to the wire II9 which is connected to the line 91. When the switch I I5 is in position to connect the wires I I4 and |20, and the wires |I9 and I2 I, current nowing between the motor 53 and the line 91 is deiiected through the clock controlled circuit. In

orde;l to vary the timing of the rack tiltingl operations of the motor 53, Lthe clock 54 preferably operates a pluralityof switches which may be selectively connected intol the motor circuit. The wire |20v extends to an automatic snap switch |22 through which the wire |20 may be connected to either of two wires |23 and |24. The wires |23 and |24 are alternately connected to the wire |2| by movable switch members |25 and |26 operated by cams |21 andi|28 which are'simultaneously driven at a denite rate of speed by the clock 54. The clock 54 is preferably an electric clocll: having a motor |29, one terminal of which is 'connected to the line 96 through the wire |I0, and the other terminal of which is connected to the line 91' by a wire |30. The clock motor |29 operates continuously and one of the' cams |21 or |28 causes a closing of the circuit through the motorv 53 at predetermined time intervals, the cams being so formed and so positioned with respect to the movable switch member that it operates that either cam will hold its switch in closed position for a period of time sufiicient to impart a one-half revolution to the crank 41 so as to insure movement of the tray supports 32 Strom.' one extreme inclined position to the opposite extreme inclined position.

The switch |22 is operated by chains |220, which are attached to lever arms .'45 ofthe incubating racks so that the switch |22 is shifted from one of its engaging positions to the other when the racks reach either extreme tilted position. The cams. |21 and |28 are positioned with the lobe of one displaced with respect to the lobe ofthe other. When the cam |21 closes lthe lswitch |25, the motor 54 is started andcontinues to operate untilthe switch `|22 is shifted to break thev motor circuit, which remains open until the cam |28 closes the switch |26.

When -the doors 3 are opened for the purpose of charging the incubating racks or for transferring trays. from` they incibatingi racks to the vhatching racks, the Aswitch 4Il?,` is moved into engagement with the bridging conductor I|8 to operate the motor 53 to shift the tray supports 32into horizontal position.

When the'trays have reached the desired position, the movement isV stopped by shifting the switch Y| |5 to the center or neutral position, thus stopping the motor 53 and rendering it inoperative. Upon completion of the loading or transferring operation, the switch ||5 is returned into engagement with I|8 and the motor 53 oper-- ated until the trays have reached their normal When this is accomplished,

trolledY circuit engaging position.

.The heaters 6 are provided with coils 6a and 6b. One end of the coil 6a is connected through a wire AI3I to the wire |08 and through the switch blade |03 to the line 91. One end of the` coil 6b is connected to the wire |08A through a wire |32 and a manuallyv operated switch |33. By opening the switch |33 the coil 6b may be disconnected. It is desirable to vary the capacity .of the heater since under certain conditions of operation less heating of the air is required. Temperature and humidity of the outside atmosphere may be such that a single .heating coil will produce ample temperature regulation. Under other conditions a, more rapid heating of the air may be desirable.

I The ends of the coils 6a and 6b opposite the ends connectedto the wire |08 are connected by a bridging conductor |34 which is connected by a wire to anni-many open switch |36. when the switch '|36 is nclosed position, the circuit to one or both vof the heating -coils is completed vthrough wires |31and |38 tothe wire |01 and through the switch blade |00 to the line 96. The 'switch |36 is actuated vby a solenoid |39, one end of the `solenoid coil being connected by a Awire |40 through the wire |08 and through the switch blade A|03 to the line 91. The other end `of the coil `of the solenoid |39 is connected by a wire 4| through a normally closed relay switch -ll42and through-a wire |43 to the wire |38 which is connected through the wire |61 to the line 96. The switch |42 is operated by a solenoid |44, one end of the solenoid coil being connected to the wire |43 and the'other end being connected Vthrough a wire |45 to the thermostat 29. The thermostat 29 is preferably of the contact thermometer type and the wire |45 is permanently connected with the mercury column thereof. A contact member |46 is positioned in the path of the mercury column to be engaged by the mercury when a predetermined temperature is reached. The contact member |46 is connected by a wire 41 to the wire |40 which is connected \2'5 tuated to break the connection between the Wires |43 and |4| and interrupt the current through the `solenoid |39, permitting the switch |36 to' open and break the circuit through the heater coils. One or both of the heaters 6 are energized so long as the temperature within the incubator is below a. predetermined temperature. Whenever the temperature rises to the point where' the mercury column engages the contact member |46, the heater circuit is opened.

The valve 12, which controls flow of water through the cooling coil 1, is operated by a solenoid |48, one end of the solenoid coil being connected by a wire |49 to the wire |40 and through the wire |08 to the line 96, the other end of the solenoid coil being connected by a wire |50 to a switch |5I, which when closed connects the wire |50 through a wire |52 to the wire |31 and through the wires |38 and |01 to the line 96. The switch 5| lis operated by a solenoid |53, one end of the solenoid coil being connected to the wire |52, and the other end being connected through a Wire |54 to the thermostat 29a. The thermostat 29a is also preferably of the contact thermometer type, and the wire |54 is permanently connected to the mercury column thereof.

A contact member |55 is positioned in the path of the mercury column of the thermostat 29a to be engaged by the'mercury column at a predetermined temperature. The contact member |55 is connected by a wire `|56 to the wire |41 and through the wires |40 and |08 to the line 91. Upon closure of the circuit through the thermostat 29a, the solenoid |53 'is energized to close the switch |5| which completes the circuit through the solenoid |48 to open the valve 13. The contact member |55 is set lfor engagement with the mercury column ata temperature slightly higher than the `contact |46. The heaters'6 are operated continuously until the mercury column of the therinostat`29 engages the `contact member |46 whereupon the heating coils are disconnected. If thetemperature rises above the predetermined temperature at which the heaters are disconnectedtthe mercury-column `in the thermostat 29a Yengages the contact-member |55, closing the loir- Vcuit through the solenoid |53 and operating vthe switch ll to energize the solenoid |48 to open the valve 13, which drains water from the cooling coil, which is replaced by'cold water from the water supply line. Thecontacts |46 and |55 of 'the thermostats are set `to approximately the highfand low limits between which it is desired to `maintain the temperature yof the air in the incubator. For example, `the contact member |46 ma-y be set for a temperature of 991A1 F. while the 4contact member |55 may be set for a ytemperature of 99% F. By operation of the heaters 6 and the cooling coil r1 -under the control of thermostats -29 and-29a, temperature within the incubator cabinet Amay be maintained between very close limits.

The lvalve -13 controlling the flowof water to the humidier is operated by a solenoid |51, one end of the solenoid coil being connected by a wire |58 through the wires `|40 and |08 to the line 91; the other end of'ithe solenoid coil -is connected by va wire |59 to a normally closed switch |60 which connects the wire |59 through the wires |38 and |01 to -the line 96. The switch |60 is operated by -a solenoid `|6|, one end of which is connected tothe wire |38,and vthe other end of which is 'connected through a wire |62 to a manually operable switch |63. The switch |63 serves to connect the wire |62 Ato veither of two wires |64 or |65. The wire |64 extends to the humidostat 30 and the wire |65 extends to the humidostat 39a. The switch |63 is provided for the purpose of shifting the control from the -humidostat 30 to the humidostat 30a, or vice versa. The two humidostats are set to control the operation of a solenoid |51 at different degrees of humidity and the two Vcontrols are desirable because of the fact fthatvduring the hatching operation a higher degreeof humidity in the incubator is desirable. The humidostats 30 and 30a are preferably or" the wet bulb contact thermometer type and each has a column-of mercury. The wire |64 is connected permanently to the mercury column of the humidcstat l30; the wire |65 is permanently connected to the mercury column of the humidostat 30a. Contact members |66 and |61 are provided on the humidostats in the path of the mercury column, the contact member |61 being set higher thanthe contact member |66. The contact members |66 and 61 Vare connected through wires |40 and |08 to the line 91 so that when one of the 'contacts |66 or |61 is engaged by the mercury column of the humidostats 30 or 30a, the circuit is completed through solenoid 4| 6| to break the circuit of the solenoid |51 and permit closure of the valve 13.

Signal lights'may be provided to indicate operation of the heating means, cooling means and the humidier. As herein shown, a light |68 is connected to the wires |4| and Y|40 so that cur` rent will be supplied to the light while current .is flowing through the heater. A light |69 is connected to wires '|40 and |50 across the circuit of the valve -operated solenoid |48 and is lighted when the valve 12 is opened to create a flow of water in the cooling coil. A light |10 is connected to the wires `|40 and |59 across the circuit of the valve operating solenoid |51 and is lighted while the valve 13 is being held in open position by thesolenoid |51.

The controlcircuitsfor the heating, cooling and humidifying devices are connected through the ian-motor circuit so `that all'of these devices are 'rendered-inoperative when the `switch 99 is moved -to open position.

abinet construction` "he cabinetA is preferably constructed oi material that is not readily aected by moisture and which is a poor conductor oi heat. The cabinet is preferably constructed in siX sections, comprising four side walls HI, a ceiling |12, and a :door |13. Each of the side walls and the ceiling is in the form of a panel built upon a rectangular Wood frame IM. The frame |14 is covered with waterprooied inner and outer layers of plywood |'l5 and |16. The space within the frame |14 and between the plywood layers is preferably lled with an insulating material ITI, such as rock wool or the like. The inside surfaces of the walls, ceiling and iioor are covered with a copper foil |18 that is cemented to the plywood and then lacquered to prevent penetration of moisture from the interior of the cabine-t.y The outside surfaces of the Walls are covered with a linoleum |79, the linoleum being cemented to the plywood with waterproof cement. The wall sections are so designed that they t around the oor, and ceiling edges with only space for a gasket |83 of cork or rubber between the joints. 'Ihe sections are held together with bolts |8|, which pass through holes in one section and engage blind nuts |82 that are built into the adjoining section. When thel sections are drawn together by the bolts |8| against the gaskets |80, airtight joints are provided along the corners of the structure. The oor |'|3 may be formed of an upper layer of plywood |83 covered with copper foil and a lower layer of insulation board |84.

When the exterior humidifying chamber is provided, it is constructed of sheet metal with a ccveringof linoleum, like the side walls, and suitable means is provided for obtaining access to the interior, such as a removable front wall |85. Also, to prevent the passage of drops of water through the opening 2'| into the air conditioning chamber, a vertical partition |86 is preferably provided between the spray nozzle 28 and the aperture 21.

Operation During operation, the switches 98 and 99 remain in closed position and the fans 5 and |3 operate continuously, creating two distinct air currents; one in a vertical circuit through the fan i3 and the incubating racks I2, and the other o in a horizontal circuit through the hatching rack 9, the lter 8, the air conditioning chamber and the fan 5 to the passages at the front and rear sides of the chamber through which the air is returned to the body of air being circulated by the fan I3. The heating, cooling and humidifying devices controlled by the thermostats 29 and 29a, and the humidostats 3|) and 300 keep the temperature and humidity substantially constant, and by reason of the manner in which air is circulated the condition of the air is very uniform throughout the interior of the cabinet.

The motor 53 under the control of the clock 54 operates at predetermined time .intervals to al- .ter the position of the eggs in the incubating racks. When additional eggs are to be placed in the incubating racks, the switch 99 is preferably'opened to stop the fan motors and disconnect the automatic temperature and humidity control devices from the source of current. By operation of the hand switch ||5, the motor 53 is loperated to bring the egg tray supports 32 to horizontal position, and the previously loaded :trays li) are placed 'in .the empty tray supports 32. As soon as thsoperation is completed, the normal operation is resumed after closing the doors 3 by closing the switch Q9. The switch 99 is preferably opened whenever the doors, 3 are opened for transfer of egg trays to the hatching rack and removal of the hatching rack with the hatched chicks therein.

The constant ow of Vair in a single direction through the hatching rack 9 and the iter 3 to the fan 5 prevents contamination of the air by the down shed by the chicks and maintains a comfortable and healthy atmosphere for the chicks. By adjusting the air inlet and outlet valves 2| and 2e, respectively, the required amount of fresh air may be introduced into the cabinet to supply oxygen suflicient for chicks being hatched.

By proper adjustment of the manually operated valve "i9 to regulate the operation of the automatically controlled cooling device, the switch |33 to regulate the heating devices, and the valves 2| and 2li to regulate the air supply, a considerable saving may be effected in the consumption of electric current, ample power being r available at all times for quickly altering temperature or humidity when desirable.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications of the speciiic devices herein shown and described for purposes of illustration may be made without departing from lthe spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. An incubator comprising an enclosed elongated main chamber, an air conditioning chamber at one end of said main chamber, a hatching rack having means for supporting superposed egg trays and positioned in said main chamber at the end adjacent the air conditioning chamber, a plurality of incubating racks positionedside by side in said main chamber, each adapted to support superposed egg trays, an air filter interposed between said main chamber and said air conditioning chamber, means for continuously Withdrawing air from said air conditioning chamber to cause air to be drawn from the main chamber horizontally through the hatching rack and lter, means for conducting the air drawn from the air conditioning chamber and circulating the same in the portion of the main chamber occupied by the incubating racks in a direction transverse to the direction of movement through the hatching rack, and means for controlling the temperature and humidity of the circulating air.

2. An incubator comprising an enclosed elongated main chamber, an air conditioning chamber at one end of said main chamber, a hatching rack having means for supporting superposed egg trays and positioned in said main chamber at the end adjacent the air conditioning chamber, a plurality of incubating racks positioned side by side in said main chamber, each adapted to support superposed egg trays, an air lter interposed between said main chamber and said air conditioning chamber, means creating an air current in a portion of the main chamber in an endless circuit with downward movement at the end of the chamber opposite the air conditioning chamber and upward movement through the incubating racks, means for withdrawing a portion of the air from the upwardly moving portion of said air current horizontally through the hatching rack and lter to the air conditioning chamber, and means for varying the temperature and humidity ofthe air so withdrawn and returning the same to the main chamber.

3. An incubator `comprising an yenclosed elon- 'gated main chamber, an air conditioning chamber at one end of Vsaid main chamber, a hatching rack having meansfor supporting superposed egg trays and positioned in said main chamber at the end adjacent the air conditioning chamber, a plurality of incubating racks positioned side by side in said main chamber, each adapted to support superposed egg trays, an air lter interposed between said main chamber and said air conditioning chamber, means creating an air current in a portion of the main chamber in an endless circuit with downward movement at the end of the chamber opposite the air conditioning chamber and upward movement through the incubating racks, means for withdrawing a portion of the air from the upwardly moving portion of said air current horizontally through the hatching rack and iilter to the air conditioning chamber, means for returning air from the conditioning chamber to the main chamber, means for heating, means for cooling and means for humidifying the air passing through the air conditioning chamber, and means responsive to variations in temperature and humidity in the main chamber for controlling said heating, cooling and humidifying means.

4. An incubator comprising an elongated chamber, a hatching rack at one end of said chamber, a plurality of incubating racks arranged side by side between the hatching rack and the opposite end of the chamber, means for controlling the temperature and humidity of the air in said chamber, a fan in the end portion of the chamber remote from the hatching rack for maintaining a vertically circulating current of air through the incubating racks, and a fan in the end oi' the chamber occupied by the hatching rack for drawing a portion of the air from the vertically circulating current and causing the same to pass horizontally through the hatching rack.

5. An incubator comprising an elongated chainber, a hatching rack at one end of said chamber, a plurality of incubating racks arranged side by side between the hatching rack and the opposite end of the chamber, means for controlling the temperature and humidity of the air in said chamber, a fan in the end portion of the chamber remote from the hatching rack for maintaining a vertically circulating current of air through the incubating racks, a fan in the end of the chamber occupied by the hatching rack for drawing a portion of the air from the vertically circulating current and causing the same to pass horizontally through the hatching rack, and an air lter interposed between the last mentioned fan and the hatching rack.

6. An incubator comprising an elongated chamber, a hatching rack at one end of said chamber, a plurality of incubating racks arranged side by side between the hatching rack and the opposite end of the chamber, means for controlling the temperature and humidity of the air in said chamber, a fan in the end portion of the chamber remote from the hatching rack for maintaining a vertically circulating current of air through the incubating racks, a centrifugal fan mounted in the end of the chamber at the outer side of the hatching rack for drawing a portion of the vertically circulating air current horizontally through the hatcliingirack, passages for returning air from said centrifugal ian horizontally past the hatching rack to the vertically circulating air current, andan air filtering diaphragm extending substantially the full width and height of the vertically moving the hatching rack and interposed between said hatching rack and centrifugal fan.

7. An incubator comprising a main chamber, a hatching rack at one end of said chamber, means for maintaining a vertically circulating current of air in said main chamber, and means for drawing a portion of the air from the vertically circulating current horizontally through the hatching rack and for returning the air so withdrawn past the hatching rack to the vertically circulating current.

8. An incubator comprising a main chamber, a hatching rack at one end of said chamber, means for maintaining a vertically circulating current of air in said main chamber, means for drawing a portion of the air from the vertically circulating current horizontally through the hatching rack and for returning the air so withdrawn past the hatching rack to the vertically circulating current, means for heating, means for cooling and means for humidifying air withdrawn through the hatching rack, and means responsive t0 variations in the temperature and humidity of the vertically circulating air in said chamber for controlling the heating, cooling and humidifying means.

9. An incubator comprising an elongated chamber, a hatching rack in said chamber at one end thereof, a series of superposed egg trays supported in horizontal position in said hatching rack, a plurality of incubating racks arranged side by side in said chamber, each rack having a series of superposed egg tray supporting members mounted for lateral rocking movements, means for rocking said tray supporting members, means for creating a vertically moving current of air through said incubating racks, and means for by-passing a portion of the air from the vertically moving current horizontally through the hatching rack and returning the same past the hatching rack to the vertically moving current.

410. An incubator comprising an elongated chamber, a hatching rack in said chamber at one end thereof, a series of superposed egg trays supported in horizontal position in said hatching rack, a plurality of incubating racks arranged side by side in said chamber, each rack having a series of superposed egg tray supporting members mounted for lateral rocking movements, means for rocking said tray supporting members, means for creating a vertically moving current of air through-said incubating racks, means for by-passing a portion of the air from the vertically moving current horizontally through the hatching rack and returning the same past the hatching rack tothe vertically moving current, means for filtering the air passed through the hatching rack, and means controlled by variations in the temperature of the air circulating through the incubating racks for heating or cooling thebY-passed air.

11. -An incubator comprising an elongated chamber, a hatching rack in said chamber at one end thereof,'a series of superposed egg trays supported in horizontal position in said hatching rack, a plurality of incubating racks arranged side by side in said chamber, each rack having a series of superposed egg tray supporting members mounted forlateral rocking movements, means vfor rocking said tray supporting members, means for creating a vertically moving current of air through said incubating racks, means forby-passing a portion of the air `from current horizontally through the hatching rack and returning the same past the hatching rack to the vertically moving current, means for iiltering the air passed through the hatching rack, means controlled by variations in the temperature of the air circulating through the incubating racks for heating or cooling the by-passed air, air humidifying means, and means responsive to variations in the humidity of air in said chamber for controlling the operation of said humidifying means.

12. An incubator comprising an elongated main chamber, an air conditioning chamber at one end of said main chamber, a plurality of incubating racks positioned side by side in said main chamber, said racks being spaced from the end of the chamber at which the air conditioning chamber is located, each rack having superposed members for supporting egg trays in laterally inclined positions, a carriage adapted to be run into the space between the incubating racks and the air conditioning chamber, a hatching rack on the carriage adapted to support superposed egg trays in horizontal position, means in the main chamber for circulating air through the incubating racks, means in the air conditioning chamber for drawing a portion of the air horizontally through the hatching rack, and passages for returning air from the conditioning chamber to the main chamber.

13. An incubator comprising a main chamber, an air conditioning chamber alongside the main chamber, a hatching rack in the main chamber adjacent the air conditioning chamber, an air filter interposed between the air conditioning chamber and the main chamber, means for circulating air in a vertical direction in said main chamber, means for continuously drawing air from said main chamber horizontally through said hatching rack and lter to the air conditioning chamber and for returning the air from the air conditioning chamber to the vertically circulating body of air in the main chamber, and means for controlling the temperature and humidity of the air in the main chamber.

14. An incubator comprising a main chamber, an air conditioning chamber alongside the main chamber, an air filtering diaphragm forming a partition between said chambers, a hatching rack in the main chamber adjacent said diaphragm, a fan in the main chamber for creating a Vertical circulation of air therein, a fan in the air conditioning chamber for creating a subatmospheric pressure therein to draw a portion of the air horizontally from the vertically circulating body of air in the main chamber through the hatching rack and filtering diaphragm, passages for returning air from the last mentioned fan to the vertically circulating body of air in the main chamber, and means for controlling the temperature and humidity of the air in said main chamber.

15. An incubator comprising an elongated chamber, a plurality of racks in said chamber, each adapted to support a series of superposed egg trays, means for creating a vertically moving current of air through certain of said racks, means for by-passing a portion of the air from the vertically moving current, horizontally through another of said racks, and returning the same past the last mentioned rack to the vertically moving current, means for ltering the bypassed air, and means controlled by variations in the temperature of the vertically circulating air for heating or cooling the by-passed air.

16. In an incubator, an egg tray, a rack for supporting said tray having a tray receiving portion of greater width than the tray, and a chick guard attached to the tray and providing a chick runway alongside the tray.

17. In an incubator, an egg tray, a rack for supporting said tray having a tray receiving portion of greater width than the tray, and a chick guard of greater Width than the tray and having an opening in its bottom to receive the upper portion of the egg tray, said chick guard being attached to the tray with its bottom below the top of the tray, the portions of the guard bottom on opposite sides of the tray for-ming chick runways.

18. An incubator comprising a main chamber, egg supporting racks in said chamber, means for circulating air in said chamber, air cooling means comprising a coil connected at one end to a water supply line, a discharge pipe connected to the opposite end of said coil, said discharge pipe having a plurality of outlets, a valve controlling each of said outlets, an air humidifying device receiving water from one of said outlets, means for operating said valves, means including a humidostat in the main chamber for controlling the operation of the valve controlling the outlet leading to the humidifying device, and means including a thermostat in the main chamber for controlling the operation of the valve controlling another of said outlets.

JOSEPH I. TAGGART. 

